Flat Rock Playhouse announced today youth performer auditions for the upcoming productions of “The Music Man” and “The Diary of Anne Frank” in the 2016 Flat Rock Playhouse season.

The “Music Man,” with book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, is the story of fast-talking con artist Harold Hill who plots to swindle the folks of River City, Iowa by posing as a band instructor. The long awaited, highly requested musical features the Broadway standards “Til There Was You” and “76 Trombones.”

Directed and choreographed by former YouTheatre alumni and Broadway choreographer Chase Brock, “The Music Man” will utilize a large ensemble of young performers aged 8 through 18.  Rehearsal and performances will be from May 23 through July 9, with eight shows a week.

Flat Rock Playhouse is specifically seeking young performers for the featured roles of Winthrop Paroo and Amaryllis.  Winthrop, aged 10, is the shy, introverted little brother of town librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo. He also speaks with a lisp.

Winthrop slowly comes out of his shell when Harold Hill rolls into town and ultimately serves as an instrument of change for the swindler. Amaryllis, also aged 10, is Marian’s young piano student who is enamored with Winthrop. Both young actors need to be able to sing and move well.

Written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” is based on the diary kept by Frank while she was in hiding with her family in Amsterdam for two years and has become symbolic of the enduring power of the human spirit.

“The Diary of Anne Frank” will be directed by Flat Rock Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant, with rehearsal and performances from Aug. 23 through Sept. 25. There will be weekday matinee performances on Wednesday and Thursday during the show’s run.

Flat Rock Playhouse is specifically seeking young actors for the roles of Anne Frank and Peter Van Daan. Anne Frank, to play early teens, is the lively and curious girl who remains optimistic throughout the months her family is in hiding and makes the best of the situation she is in.

Peter Van Daan is the shy, quiet teenaged boy also in hiding with the Frank family and the object of Anne’s first crush.

Auditions will take place on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage Monday, Feb. 29 from 6 – 9 p.m. Those auditioning for “The Music Man” are asked to prepare 16 bars of a musical theatre song and be prepared to learn a short dance combination. Young boys interested in the role of Winthrop in The Music Man are strongly encouraged to review the song “Gary, Indiana” from the show.

Those auditioning for “The Diary of Anne Frank” will be asked to read from sides provided. Additionally, young actresses interested in auditioning for Anne are encouraged to attend the audition workshop for this role on Sunday, Feb. 28 from 2 – 4 p.m. on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage. There is no charge for this workshop. The Flat Rock Playhouse is located at 2661 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.

-Submitted by Dane Whitlock